Affiliate Success
Affiliate Interviews: Monika Niebelska of Kasynoorzel.pl
It has been quite a while since we have added interviews with gambling affiliates and we sure did miss hearing all these inspirational stories. We have been in “the lab” and made the necessary improvements for you to have the best experience while browsing and adding your thoughts on our portal.
Thus we have managed to catch up with Monika from Kasynoorzel.pl, an interesting and informative website in the Polish region which aims to bring fresh news from available online casinos. The interview is very educative and one interesting thing we have learned from this interview is that no matter where you live, all it takes is passion and you can have a remote business as an affiliate. Oh yes, almost forgot….orzel means eagle in Polish 🙂
EEG: First, we would like to thank you for the opportunity to interview such a highly appreciated professional of the industry. Could you share with us your profile so our readers can have a better idea of who you are?
- Name: Monika Niebelska
- Age: 30
- Hometown: Wroclaw, Poland
- Living in: Tallinn, Estonia
- Favorite Food: homemade lasagna accompanied by red wine
- Must Read Book: anything from Dostoyevsky
EEG: Tell us a bit about yourself, we want to know who Monika really is, the main person behind the Polish and Czech Republic’s management at Kasynoorzel.pl. Where were you born? What was the key idea of developing this great review website for top online casino games and reviews?
Monika: I had spent most of my life in Wroclaw, my hometown then I moved to Czech Republic for studies and now I live in Estonia. First I tried gambling when I was maybe 7 years old. It was on a ferry from Sweden and I spent my last few coins on slot machines.
The idea behind our websites is really simple: We want to be number one choice for iGaming players and I don’t mean being on the first page of search engine results. Rather than being no. 1 in Google we want Kasynoorzel.pl or any other website we work on to be in every igamer’s browser bookmarks. We are doing our best to make our websites useful and attractive to experienced gamers as well as those who are just starting their gambling adventure and we are all happy to see how many returning visitors we have and how engage they get on our websites.
EEG: Since there are thousands of casino game review websites out there, where do you think Kasynoorzel.pl stands now?
Monika: I would say we are a strong player in our league but there is still space for improvement.
EEG: What are the strong points of Kasynoorzel.pl and what makes it stand out from the niche websites?
Monika: There are plenty of websites in our niche many of which are of very low quality. Designed in a really chaotic manner often written in poor language either not up to date or flooding reader with nonsense content these websites are just tiring for users to even browse through. What makes Kasynoorzel.pl stand out is that we do everything but what I have just described. We keep the website simple with best quality content. Sometimes it’s better to write one blog entry less than to post something you would not want to read yourself.
EEG: What were the bumps on your road when you got started and how did you overcome them?
Monika: I was an absolute SEO and iGaming rookie when I started working in the field and it was only thanks to Thomas, our manager that I got where I am right now. He put all his trust and faith in me and I am really grateful for that. I also got great support from my fellow colleagues.
We have browsed your website and found some high quality content. Are you writing it by yourself or you have a team of people writing the reviews? How many reviews are there on your website?
Monika: I am the person responsible for all our Polish and Czech websites and their final look. Usually I write the content myself but I have few trusted freelancers who contribute their texts from time to time. I cannot really say how many reviews we have right now as the number keeps on changing.
EEG: How do you keep the content fresh and devoid of clutter when a lot of fluff and nonsense appear on the Internet on a daily basis?
Monika: Online casinos and slots we promote on all our websites are brands that are trusted and friendly to Polish and Czech players. This on its own filters out a lot of poor content. With that we just listen to our readers, what they like and what they are interested in and just try to couple that with our writing.
EEG: We are sure that you receive daily messages from Affiliate Managers showcasing their products. You of course select them by the brands they work with; but what are your thoughts on how Affiliate Manager-Affiliate relationships should be built?
Monika: We read every message we receive and even if it is clear that the sender did not put any effort in even looking at our website we still reply and politely decline the offer. I think the relationship should be based on mutual respect and understanding. You get something from me and give something in return, you have some targets to meet and I got mine. At the end of the day what matters is the brand we both work for gets promoted and receives new customers and it is a win-win situation for all of us.
EEG: How do you see the future of the gaming industry? For instance, will it become a truly global phenomenon in the near future?
Monika: Gambling in all its forms has been existing all over the world for ages and there is no indication that it is going to be otherwise even if many governments are trying to partially or completely ban it. On the contrary, thanks to rapid development of web and mobile technology casino games will become a worldwide product.
EEG: Can you name one change that you want to see in the casino affiliate ecosystem?
Monika: I would like casinos as well as game providers to be more diverse. I know that it is not easy as the basics are the same everywhere. In each casino we will find the same rules for card games, same rules for sportsbook and in each one there will be slots with spinning reels. The same thing however can be presented in so many different ways starting from website layout through game technology up to bonus system for players.
EEG: What advise you would like to offer to the new affiliates who are looking to venture into this great industry?
Monika: To take more time when choosing whom to promote and to be more humble when dealing with business partners. Also to be patient.
EEG: Who is your favorite celebrity?
Monika: That is a very difficult question as I don’t really know what is happening in the celebrity world. Nowadays there are many people who are “famous for being famous” and you really cannot figure out who is who there. I’d rather read about someone famous for his professional achievements who sets example to follow than see another article about someone’s plastic surgery.
EEG: If you would just open your YouTube search bar, what would you search for?
Monika: That strictly depends on three factors: When? What for? What’s my mood? Work related search would most probably be some new slot machine. For writing an article or answering e-mails I usually choose either a jazzy tune or a computer game soundtrack. Friday night means “Back to the 80s” whereas romantic dinner tastes better when listening to chanson francaise.
EEG: Back to work. Do you attend any iGaming conferences? If so, which one is your favorite and what is your most fun experience?
Monika: I do not attend iGaming conferences myself, we have a dedicated team for that. I prefer to stay in the office and write another review.
EEG: How do you rate the chances of Eastern Europe becoming potential gaming hotpot of the future? Where do you think the region must improve upon?
Monika: Eastern Europe has really great potential to become one of the most attractive areas for iGaming. I think it is more a question of casino companies to become more Eastern Europe oriented. Let’s take Poland as example, one of the largest countries in the region where gambling market is not that strictly regulated as in Estonia but where players still feel neglected if not ignored by many big casino brands. I have seen many websites where the so-called ‘Polish language version’ equals translation of the main page only, often with horrific spelling mistakes or where you cannot make deposits in the local currency and where you can only dream of customer support assisting you in Polish. I am not saying all casino websites are like that but there is definitely still to be improved in that matter.
EEG: Alright, here comes the fun part…., where would you like to travel in Eastern Europe, some part of the region maybe that you haven’t visited yet and favorite destination around the world.
Monika: I definitely want to see Russia, hopefully I will visit St. Petersburg soon. I would like to go to Hungary or Romania and for sure explore more of my own country. Favorite destination around the world? I think that would be North Pole.
EEG: Where you wouldn’t want to travel in Eastern Europe?
Monika: Honestly speaking I haven’t seen that many places in Eastern Europe so I cannot really say which one I would not like to visit.
EEG: What is your opinion about EEG (Eastern European Gaming – eegaming.org)?
Monika: Eastern European market clearly needs its representative online and I am really glad that there is such place as eegaming.org that does the job!
Affiliate Announcements
QMRA Launches Italian Quality Mark for Affiliates
QMRA is a Compliance Quality Mark for iGaming Affiliates, launched by XY Legal Solutions B.V. (XYLS). XYLS launched a Dutch Quality Mark, KVA (https://kva.nl/), in September 2021, now working with numerous operators (LeoVegas, ComeOn, 711, TonyBet, Hard Rock Casino) and 90+ members.
In February 2024, QMRA was launched. Affiliates from the following markets were able to apply for the Quality Mark: Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, USA Michigan, The UK, Ontario and Estonia. As of today, Italian affiliates will be able to join QMRA as well. Applicants will receive:
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- A Compliance Report, containing compliance feedback if needed, in certain cases usable for obtaining a Meta Ads License;
- A specific Online Certificate about the member website, explaining its compliance (https://qmra.eu/members/affiliates/);
- Possibility to consult the QMRA team on compliance related questions.
Several joined since launch, representing all available markets so far. Among joining companies were Leadstar, ADM Group, BetFans, Game Lounge and Gentoo. Game Lounge and Gentoo decided to make QMRA official company policy. Sitebee, a Gentoo launched Compliance Tool, announced an official partnership with QMRA on legal support last week.
Affiliate Success
Casino Guru secures SBC Awards shortlist for Casino Affiliate of the Year
Casino Guru, the world’s largest and most up-to-date database of online casinos, has landed on the shortlist for SBC Awards 2024 in the Casino Affiliate of the Year category.
Casino Guru, which has processed more than 6,930 casinos, and prides itself on the world’s largest forum community built around informing players, enters a competitive field of 12 contestants all vying for the distinction.
SBC Awards 2024 is due to take place on September 26 at the MEO Arena on the final day of the SBC Summit, celebrating industry-wide achievements. Casino Guru is proud to be shortlisted for this important accolade. The company has worked tirelessly to establish itself at the top of the industry.
In embracing the affiliate business model, Casino Guru has created a groundbreaking and industry-shifting paradigm through the introduction of the Safety Index, a complex algorithm powered by big data, consumer feedback, and a meticulously in-house analyst team that has allowed Casino Guru to not only be the go-to repository for online casinos but also provide players with a credible source of information when it comes to the inherent trustworthiness of each casino brand listed in the constantly-growing database.
In welcoming the nomination, Šimon Vincze, Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling, said: “I am thrilled to see Casino Guru shortlisted for the category again this year! Our competitors for the winner are recognised companies with a considerable impact on the online gambling affiliate business. The criteria for the winner go beyond our unique approach to affiliation and consider growth in multiple areas. I am convinced that we have much to offer in this sense as well, and I am looking forward to the judge’s conclusion.”
The Safety Index in particular has been a dynamic and living ecosystem that has been evolving on a weekly and monthly basis, registering movements in casinos’ overall ranking based on a comprehensive set of factors, such as complaint resolution, terms and conditions, licensing issues and more.
Having those efforts recognized by the SBC Summit Awards is a huge milestone for the company, which has operated with an unwavering commitment to bringing consumers the best possible choices from a database that easily constitutes the world’s largest.
Casino Guru is a trailblazer in building an affiliate business that is fully consumer-focused and consumer-facing, by offering an uncompromising, verifiable and transparent accreditation process that ultimately benefits consumers and helps match their preferences with the best casino brand.
Casino Guru is looking forward to September 26 and is excited about the opportunity to demonstrate to the panel of judges that the company is committed to raising standards for the way consumers engage with the industry in a manner that protects consumers and distinguishes the best operators and brands on the market, helping drive a sustainable and healthy environment for all.
Affiliate Success
ReferOn Nominated for “Acquisition and Retention Partner” at SBC Awards 2024
ReferOn, a state-of-the-art affiliate management platform, announces its nomination in the Acquisition & Retention Partner category at the prestigious SBC Awards 2024.
The inclusion in this category highlights ReferOn’s efforts to create and develop a targeted product for the needs of the iGaming industry, recognizing the team’s innovative approach and notable results in the field of affiliate marketing.
ReferOn’s nomination as an Acquisition & Retention Partner confirms that the affiliate management platform has proven its effectiveness and understanding of customer needs, as noted by the judging committee. Designed with years of iGaming experience its team, ReferOn caters to the specific needs of affiliates and managers, offering a flexible and scalable solution for managing large networks of companies in one comprehensive hub.
Alexia Gauci, B2B Sales Manager of ReferOn, commented on the nomination: “Being mentioned in the ‘Acquisition and Retention Partner’ category at the SBC Awards 2024 means a lot for our team. We are providing innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of iGaming professionals. We’re continuously enhancing the platform’s capabilities so our clients can solve the issues they are facing & achieve business goals.”
ReferOn brings reporting capabilities, robust back-office functions, and unique reward mechanics, all designed to simplify administration and enhance data control. With features like Sub-Affiliation and Independent Deal Calculations (IDC), ReferOn offers transparency and flexibility, helping users with tracking key metrics easily for quick data-driven decisions.
In addition to its technical improvements, ReferOn started educational initiatives & received good feedback from the audience. The team already conducted two free seminars, “ReferOn Insights” for Operators and Affiliates to provide valuable knowledge and strategies for maximizing affiliate marketing success.
The ReferOn team will be exhibiting at SBC Summit 2024 in Lisbon and will showcase its latest developments and offerings at booth F430 from 24-26 September. Visitors will be able to ask ReferOn representatives questions and learn more about the platform’s advanced features and innovations.